In Doctor Who: The Power of the Doctor we meet the mad monk.
Here’s who the real-life Rasputin was, and his previous adventures in the Whoniverse.
Well, kind of, anyway.
Frankly, it is a surprise hes not been on the show sooner.
Some regarded him as a visionary, a mystic, even a prophet.
Others suspected he was a con-man whod talked himself into the highest halls of power.
His influence led to him being a near mythological figure within his own lifetime.
He was accused of spreading heresy, and was denounced by the local clergy.
The Regenerating Monk?
Its the kind of reputation that gets a person enemies, and the intrigue around Rasputin soon grew dangerous.
His efforts resulted in him being defrocked from the priesthood and banished from St Petersburg.
Knowing hed survived being stabbed in the stomach, this conspiracy was taking no chances.
Prince Felix invited Rasputin to his palace, and offered him tea and cakes laced with cyanide.
After initially refusing them, Rasputin ate the poison cakes, but seemed perfectly fine.
He asked for some wine, and was given some, which was also poisoned.
He drank three glasses and showed no ill effects.
When he came back to the basement where Rasputin lay, Rasputin leapt up and attacked him.
Felix sensibly escaped Rasputins grasp and ran away.
As Rasputin chased him he was shot again, by another conspirator.
Ultimately he was shot three times, once at close range to the forehead.
Frankly, its astonishing Rasputin isnt an anagram of Master.
And so its not really surprising that he has, multiple times.
The Doctor removes these memories, but implies that they may return to him as dreams.
Just… not the one you were expecting.
In the story he does this, accidentally sending poor Grigori completely insane.
It would turn out that the Monk would get a taste for it.
you’re able to still find the first page of Harnesss attempt to novelise the ideaonline here.
Time will tell if that has any lasting consequences on history…
Doctor Who: The Power of the Doctor is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.Read our review.
